If you’re looking for places to go in Minnesota, the best way to start is with a bucket list of MN’s most popular and beautiful attractions. And if you live here long enough, these 31 places will be just the tip of the iceberg. From waterfalls to historic houses, here are the places that nobody can afford to miss in Minnesota. Let’s get exploring!
- Minnehaha Falls
Flickr/m01229 A peaceful getaway in the backyard of the Twin Cities.
- Glensheen Mansion
Glensheen Mansion The most visited historic home in Minnesota, Glensheen Mansion sits on gorgeous Lake Superior, surrounded by amazing gardens. Though it may be beautiful, it has a dark past; the home was the site of double homicide in 1977.
- Gooseberry Falls
Flickr/Mr. Moment Our favorite and most scenic falls with 3 levels of gushing water.
- Devil’s Kettle
Flickr/Roy Luck Minnesota’s most mysterious natural wonder, Devil’s Kettle is where half of the Brule River disappears, and never shows up again where we can see it. It astonishes visitors time and time again, and is one of MN’s most beautiful falls to boot.
- Itasca State Park
Flickr/Randen Pederson The headwaters of the Mississippi are not only beautiful, but easily accessible via a quick hike.
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Flickr/Tim Wilson Probably the MOST photographed place in MN, Split Rock Lighthouse defines our stunning North Shore.
7.Jeffers Petroglyphs
Flickr/Ben Schaffhausen Feel connected to the land and history. This is too amazing to skip.
- Canal Park
Flickr/Trost Art & Images The beautiful neighborhood, lakewalk, and Duluth’s aerial lift bridge make this one of the most picturesque landmarks in MN.
- Voyageurs National Park
Flickr/jck_photos Voyageurs National Park is unlike any other in that its campsites and interior are accessible only by water. This park provides one of the only remaining true wilderness experiences, where you can enjoy the beauty of America’s land without human interference.
- Superior Hiking Trail
Flickr/CHRIS DRUMM Consistently regarded as one of the best trails in the country, you can’t miss a single mile of this northern adventure.
- St. Croix River Dalles
Flickr/Smitty 54017’s Photos The St. Croix River is where you’ll find some of the most spectacular geological features in MN, from glacial potholes to the scenic cliffs where we can count the lava flows and prove that MN indeed was once an ocean state.
- Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Flickr/Molly O. The oldest public wildflower garden in the US, located in Theodore Wirth Park.
- Oberg Mountain Loop
Flickr/Tim Wilson Off the Superior Hiking Trail, this loop has unforgettable views of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake and Moose Mountain.
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen The most expansive canoeing area full of phenomenal lakes and streams, the BWCA is one of the most calming places in the country, and a famous US destination for true adventurers.
- Marjorie McNeely Conservatory
Flickr/m01229 These gardens are a magnificent blend of man-made beauty and nature’s finest work.
- Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway
Flickr/Tony Webster An easy bike ride for anyone provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and connects the best parks, lakes, and the Mississippi.
- Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Flickr/Roy Luck One of Minnesota’s most fascinating places, the mine on northern Minnesota’s Vermilion Range is the oldest and deepest in MN. The mine’s lowest level, the 27th, is 2,341 feet below ground.
- Niagara Cave
Flickr/Bruce Guenter Near Harmony, discover the depths of Niagara cave, one the Midwest’s largest caves, with fossils, a waterfall, and even a wedding chapel. The beautiful water-sculpted passageways make for a truly one-of-a-kind walk.
- Walker Art Center & Sculpture Garden
Flickr/Mark B. Schlemmer World class art and a one-of-a-kind sculpture garden.
- Capitol Building in Saint Paul
Wikimedia/AlexiusHoratius When you get to St. Paul, you can actually call 877-411-4123 for an over the phone History on the Spot Walking Tour! Talk about hi-tech!
- First Ave 7th Street Entry
Flickr/Tony Webster Easily the best and most legendary music venue in the state.
- Como Zoo
Flickr/Amy Meredith Free access to lions, tigers, and now POLAR BEARS! Oh my!
- National Eagle Center
National Eagle Center Visit Wabasha for the daily programs with the eagles.
- International Wolf Center
Don Gossett, International Wolf Center Head up to Ely to see these stunning animals.
- Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary
Flickr/Amy Ross A day of adorable bears and amazing scenery.
- Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Facebook/Saint Paul Winter Carnival The best winter event of the year in Saint Paul has been happening since 1886!
- Renaissance Festival
Facebook/Minnesota Renaissance Festival The amazing entertainment makes this a can’t miss every year!
- Stone Arch Bridge
Flickr/Paul VanDerWerf The views of downtown Minneapolis and the Stone Arch Bridge are some of the most photographed in MN and highlight the beautiful historic and modern sides of the Twin Cities.
- Hermann Heights Monument
Flickr/Doug Kerr View small town MN from this famous monument in New Ulm.
- James J. Hill House
Facebook/James J. Hill House Learn about the life and home of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway!
- Mayowood Mansion
Flickr/Connie Kendall Designed by Dr. Charles H. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic, this amazing mansion and the surrounding gardens are full of historic charm.
Have you been to any of these places? Which are you most looking forward to checking out.
Flickr/m01229
A peaceful getaway in the backyard of the Twin Cities.
Glensheen Mansion
The most visited historic home in Minnesota, Glensheen Mansion sits on gorgeous Lake Superior, surrounded by amazing gardens. Though it may be beautiful, it has a dark past; the home was the site of double homicide in 1977.
Flickr/Mr. Moment
Our favorite and most scenic falls with 3 levels of gushing water.
Flickr/Roy Luck
Minnesota’s most mysterious natural wonder, Devil’s Kettle is where half of the Brule River disappears, and never shows up again where we can see it. It astonishes visitors time and time again, and is one of MN’s most beautiful falls to boot.
Flickr/Randen Pederson
The headwaters of the Mississippi are not only beautiful, but easily accessible via a quick hike.
Flickr/Tim Wilson
Probably the MOST photographed place in MN, Split Rock Lighthouse defines our stunning North Shore.
Flickr/Ben Schaffhausen
Feel connected to the land and history. This is too amazing to skip.
Flickr/Trost Art & Images
The beautiful neighborhood, lakewalk, and Duluth’s aerial lift bridge make this one of the most picturesque landmarks in MN.
Flickr/jck_photos
Voyageurs National Park is unlike any other in that its campsites and interior are accessible only by water. This park provides one of the only remaining true wilderness experiences, where you can enjoy the beauty of America’s land without human interference.
Flickr/CHRIS DRUMM
Consistently regarded as one of the best trails in the country, you can’t miss a single mile of this northern adventure.
Flickr/Smitty 54017’s Photos
The St. Croix River is where you’ll find some of the most spectacular geological features in MN, from glacial potholes to the scenic cliffs where we can count the lava flows and prove that MN indeed was once an ocean state.
Flickr/Molly O.
The oldest public wildflower garden in the US, located in Theodore Wirth Park.
Off the Superior Hiking Trail, this loop has unforgettable views of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake and Moose Mountain.
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
The most expansive canoeing area full of phenomenal lakes and streams, the BWCA is one of the most calming places in the country, and a famous US destination for true adventurers.
These gardens are a magnificent blend of man-made beauty and nature’s finest work.
Flickr/Tony Webster
An easy bike ride for anyone provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and connects the best parks, lakes, and the Mississippi.
One of Minnesota’s most fascinating places, the mine on northern Minnesota’s Vermilion Range is the oldest and deepest in MN. The mine’s lowest level, the 27th, is 2,341 feet below ground.
Flickr/Bruce Guenter
Near Harmony, discover the depths of Niagara cave, one the Midwest’s largest caves, with fossils, a waterfall, and even a wedding chapel. The beautiful water-sculpted passageways make for a truly one-of-a-kind walk.
Flickr/Mark B. Schlemmer
World class art and a one-of-a-kind sculpture garden.
Wikimedia/AlexiusHoratius
When you get to St. Paul, you can actually call 877-411-4123 for an over the phone History on the Spot Walking Tour! Talk about hi-tech!
Easily the best and most legendary music venue in the state.
Flickr/Amy Meredith
Free access to lions, tigers, and now POLAR BEARS! Oh my!
National Eagle Center
Visit Wabasha for the daily programs with the eagles.
Don Gossett, International Wolf Center
Head up to Ely to see these stunning animals.
Flickr/Amy Ross
A day of adorable bears and amazing scenery.
Facebook/Saint Paul Winter Carnival
The best winter event of the year in Saint Paul has been happening since 1886!
Facebook/Minnesota Renaissance Festival
The amazing entertainment makes this a can’t miss every year!
Flickr/Paul VanDerWerf
The views of downtown Minneapolis and the Stone Arch Bridge are some of the most photographed in MN and highlight the beautiful historic and modern sides of the Twin Cities.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
View small town MN from this famous monument in New Ulm.
Facebook/James J. Hill House
Learn about the life and home of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway!
Flickr/Connie Kendall
Designed by Dr. Charles H. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic, this amazing mansion and the surrounding gardens are full of historic charm.
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